Gas explosion at department store kills 4, injures 30 in Taichung

Gas explosion at department store kills 4, injures 30 in Taichung

2025-02-13

A gas explosion at a Taichung city department store has left four people dead and at least 30 people injured. The blast happened at around 11:30 in the morning in the food court on the 12th floor of the Zhonggang branch of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi. The casualties include construction workers, store employees, shoppers and passers-by down at street level who were hit by debris. Let’s hear more.

Lu Shiow-yen
Taichung mayor
Four people died from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The total amount of injuries stands at around 30. The victims include a four-generation family of seven from Macao. Some of the members died and others sustained injuries.

Sun Fu-yu
Taichung Fire Bureau
The building affected is the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, which has six underground levels and 14 floors above ground. The structure is made of steel reinforced concrete. We suspect the renovations underway on the 12th floor caused the gas explosion. About 235 people were evacuated from the building.
The four people dead were two floor managers working at the department store and two tourists from Macao who were walking down at street level. The 12th floor of the building has been left completely destroyed. Fire fighters have conducted three searches of the storey with search and rescue dogs but found nobody trapped in debris. An investigation is underway to find the cause of the blast. It is suspected that a gas leak was ignited by sparks during the removal of decorations at the food court.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

台中新光三越氣爆造成4人死亡30人輕重傷

2025-02-13

新光三越百貨，台中中港店，13日上午，11點半左右，12樓發生氣爆意外，炸出一個大洞，波及至少3個樓層，發出轟然巨響，玻璃碎裂一地，造成至少4人死亡，30人輕重傷，包括12樓施工的工人、百貨公司員工、逛街民眾，以及一樓無辜的路人。

[[台中市長盧秀燕]]
“有4位民眾OHCA，(受傷)加起來到目前為止是30位左右。其中包括有澳門一家4代7口來旅遊的，有OHCA或者是受傷。”

[[台中市消防局長孫福佑]]
“現場建築為新光三越百貨公司地下6層，與地上14層的SRC結構建築物，疑似是12樓裝修拆除施工導致氣爆，初期現場民眾疏散約235人。”

氣爆造成4人死亡，其中兩名是百貨公司的樓管人員，兩名為一樓經過的澳門旅客。百貨12樓內部，被炸得一片狼藉，消防人員，出動消防犬，進行人命搜索，截至傍晚逐層搜巡了三次，確定現場沒有人員受困。消防局調查，疑似是在新光三越12樓美食街，拆除裝潢過程中，由於瓦斯外洩遇上火星而氣爆。真正的肇事原因，檢警還在調查中。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

90-year-old novelist Li Chiao leads recall campaign in Miaoli

Civic groups on Thursday submitted signatures at the Central Election Commission to initiate a recall against two KMT lawmakers representing Miaoli. One of the politicians targeted is Chiu Cheng-chun. His campaign is currently being led by 90-year-old novelist Li Chiao, who took up the role after the previous head quit due to external pressure.

Civic groups chant slogans next to eight boxes filled with signed petitions to initiate a recall against two KMT lawmakers representing Miaoli: Chiu Cheng-chun and Chen Chao-ming. But getting these signatures to the Central Election Commission was not easy. The head of the campaign was allegedly pressured to quit on Wednesday. The role was then taken up by novelist Li Chiao.

Chen Yi-ling
Campaigner to recall Chen Chao-ming
Li Chiao and I were not the original leaders, but we deeply understand the fear that all the signatories and volunteers have felt amid the current political climate in Miaoli. It’s just like Hualien, a very difficult situation. Let’s all take action to eliminate these puss-filled boils from government.

Ms. Liang
Li Chiao’s granddaughter
I am Li Chiao’s granddaughter. He’s a certain age now, so he can’t just head out and run about. He passed me his ID to present it on his behalf and to do all the related paperwork. Li Chiao says that, he chose to stand up amid the current threats to democracy in Taiwan. He said it was his responsibility and duty as a citizen of Taiwan.

Li Chiao is 90 years old, but he is still standing at the front of the campaign to recall Chiu Cheng-chun. Besides wanting to speak up for the people of Taiwan and Miaoli, part of his motivation was a reaction to the pressure that forced the original leader of the movement to quit. After getting consent from his family, he signed a document to serve as the head of the recall campaign.

Ms. Liang
Li Chiao’s granddaughter
Li Chiao says that recalls are a democratic right, not a way to hold a personal grudge. That they are necessary to defend the will of voters. After using literature through all his life to resist injustice and unreason in the world, he says he now wants to write history through action, upholding the independent spirit of the people and refusing to give in.

Chiu Cheng-chun
Lawmaker (KMT)
The whole campaign is moving ahead as orchestrated by the DPP. We urge the DPP to act and take responsibility, and not hide behind the front of civic groups.

Recall campaign leaders say they are doing all they can to resist opposing forces. In the future, Li will also promote the recall through videos, to urge more people to stand up and defend Taiwan’s hard-won democracy.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2025-02-13

Traditional Chinese medicine for COVID also works for flu

Amid a rise in flu cases in Taiwan, the National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine is touting a self-developed herbal formula to ease symptoms. The preparation, called NRICM101 was initially developed for COVID-19, but traditional Chinese medicine practitioners say it can also help counter the seasonal flu. The formula inhibits virus proliferation and helps regulate the body, to prevent excessive inflammation.

In the first week after the Lunar New Year holiday, some 181,000 medical visits were made by patients experiencing flu-like symptoms, setting a 10 year high for the period. The National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine says the COVID-19 formula known as NRICM101 can also reduce severe symptoms and mortality in flu patients.

Shen Yuh-chiang
National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine
The preparation makes it harder for the virus to invade cells. Even when the virus does manage to attack cells, it inhibits inflammatory signals, reducing the severity of the inflammation. The most severe development can occur if treatment isn’t administered. Strong cytokine responses can give rise to white lung. This preparation can strengthen the body’s defenses.

NRICM101 inhibits viral replication through a multi-target approach, and helps regulate the body to avoid excessive inflammation. In animal trials, mice with white lung showed improvement after receiving the treatment.

Shen Yuh-chiang
National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine
Western medicine is very precise, but once the virus mutates, it becomes ineffective. MRICM101 can be used with new variants, at low concentrations with minimal inhibition to high concentrations with strong inhibition. We can’t say it’s better than western medicine. It’s just different. It’s not very precise but it remains effective despite mutations. This phenomenon became very apparent during the COVID times.

The TCM practitioner says taking western and Chinese medicine after infection can ease flu symptoms within two or three days. However, everyone’s body is different, so it’s always best to follow medical advice from a doctor.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2025-02-13

Shoebox apartments in Taipei’s wealthy area deceptively low-price

2025-02-13

Cleaning product company obtains B Corp status to further sustainability

Companies worldwide are all looking for ways to be more sustainable and reduce their carbon footprint. Now there’s a company that not only offers green cleaning products, but has also applied for B Corp certification. Employees even apply their mission in the office by carefully monitoring their waste production along with electricity and water use, aiming to be more environmentally friendly.

These recycled plastics have been broken up into white chips to be processed into these plastic pellets. They’re then reformed into containers, greatly reducing the amount of waste generated.

This light amber liquid is an environmentally friendly cleaning solution. Over 90% is made from coconuts, beets, lemon, and other plant extracts. The company that makes these household cleaning products not only puts sustainability into practice themselves, but also hopes to influence their consumers.

Chloe
Company founder
To customers, sustainability is a distant fantasy. We must keep giving them another option. An option that they identify with and are willing to change to.

Back when there were major concerns about food safety in 2015, the company’s founder, Chloe, decided to develop a safe cleaning product. She strove to make her products environmentally friendly and raise standards, earning the company B Corp certification.

Chloe
Company founder
By getting B Corp certification, we hope to influence others. Not only our consumers, but also our employees and suppliers. This is certainly not something that only our brand or one company can do. With support from our customers, we can influence the entire industry.

B Corp certification covers more than corporate governance. It also involves customized scoring on how a company cares for its employees and the environment. Even after passing, they have to continue meeting requirements, keeping track of how much waste their office produces daily, as well as quarterly electricity and water usage.

Kevin
Company employee
We approach things like a team. It’s more cohesive. Other B Corps or sustainable brands will approach us to do co-branding or join a market together, these kinds of marketing activities.

Kimi
Company employee
Before I came here, I was already really interested in the B Corp movement. Since it’s a kind of certification, it’s more of a global movement. As it focuses on so many areas, like employees or the direction of the company and the environment, I believe that the B Corp movement has a very promising future.

To do their part for the environment, companies with B Corp certification are putting sustainability concepts into practice through everyday action.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2025-02-13

16 representatives around the world visit Taoyuan in time for Lantern Festival

The 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan kicked off on Wednesday evening. The day before, Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng welcomed representatives from 16 sister and friendship cities from around the world. They also visited several new landmarks in the city and received a gift box so they can bring a piece of Taoyuan home.

One by one, Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng shook hands with dignitaries from 16 sister and friendship cities around the world. They were invited on the occasion of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan.

Chang San-cheng
Taoyuan mayor
The occasion when we in Taoyuan are hosting the Taiwan Lantern Festival is the perfect time to gather all of our sister cities here in Taoyuan. This occasion allows us to renew our friendships.

For the first time in nine years, the Taiwan Lantern Festival is back in Taoyuan. Before the festival’s official start on Wednesday, the delegation was invited to visit several cultural landmarks in the city, including Taoyuan Children’s Art Center and the Hengshan Calligraphy Art Center. Mayor Chang San-cheng said the lantern festival itself will be an unforgettable experience for the visitors.

Chang San-cheng
Taoyuan mayor
You’ll get to see the diversity of Taiwan. There are traditional cultural elements, as well as designs that incorporate technology.

Ladrick Sheppard
Mayor of Orange Walk Town, Belize
It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be here. Excellent. It is first experience. I came on time on Taiwan.

Khadijah Abdur-Rahman
Commissioner, Fulton County, Ga., USA
I want to thank you all for the wonderful assistance in helping us to get here. And to all the other dignitaries to support us in this event. Thank you for your invitation and all that you have done producing this exciting experience.

The mayor also presented each of the dignitaries a specially designed gift set, so they can bring a piece of Taoyuan back to their cities.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2025-02-13

Locally trained Taiwan curlers debut at Asian Winter Games

2025-02-13

Exhibition links ancient Austronesian activities with modern sports

The 2025 World Masters Games will take place starting May in greater Taipei. To coincide with the games, the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology in New Taipei City is holding an exhibition devoted to ancient and modern Austronesian physical activities. Relics from Taiwan, Southeast Asia and Oceania relating to archery, throwing, weightlifting, rowing and ancient pre-competition rituals are on display. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a look!

In ancient times, whether it was farming, hunting or expeditions, different groups held pre-competition rituals. One pre-competition ritual was the “birdman competition” on Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui. Competitors would compete to retrieve the first egg of a migratory bird from an island that was dangerously hard to reach. The winner would be crowned the “birdman.” An Easter Island "birdman" headpiece is displayed at the exhibition.

Peng Jia-hong
Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology
Resources are very limited on this island, so people had to fight for them. They competed to obtain food. The ocean looks calm, but there are many undercurrents, and great white sharks wander around. It showcases the spirit of sports.

The exhibition also features precious cultural relics relating to archery, rowing, throwing and weight-bearing collected from nine archaeological sites, along with cultural treasures from 17 regions in Austronesian-speaking areas. It showcases how life and sports played by Austronesian peoples have evolved over the years.

Peng Jia-hong
Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology
This exhibition is held before the World Masters Games. According to research, sports have many origins. One is the evolution of prehistoric life. For example, archery, rowing, or throwing were all part of daily life and then converted into the current sports we see.

The Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology is an archaeological museum that conserves and displays artifacts from the Shihsanhang archaeological site that is near the mouth of the Tamsui River. Ahead of the World Masters Games in greater Taipei in May, the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology is holding the “Exhibition of Ancient Life and Modern Sport" until Sept. 14, in the museum’s Special Exhibition Hall I.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2025-02-13

Excessive road markings draw mockery, interest

2025-02-13

Fishers, restaurants join up to host invasive fish banquets

2025-02-13

Homey Kaohsiung restaurant offers customizable dishes

2025-02-13